Chapter 2. Alternatives

Environmental Assessment Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Relocation CHAPTER 2. ALTERNATIVES A. Introduction An Interdisciplinary Team (IDT), representing various resources and uses of the Forests, developed a range of reasonable alternatives to the Proposed Action. The IDT identified relevant issues that were presented during public scoping meetings and formulated alternatives to the Proposed Action in response to these issues. This chapter introduces the various components of each alternative. The affected environment and likely environmental effects associated with each alternative will be discussed in Chapter 3. B. Alternatives Considered In Detail The Forest Service developed three alternatives to cover the broad range of issues involved in rerouting the CDT. The alternatives include: 1) Alternative A – No Action, 2) Alternative B – Use of the Existing Colorado Trail, and 3) Alternative C – The Realignment of the CDT. Maps of the alternatives are available in Appendix B. Large-scale maps are available through the Gunnison, Leadville, and Salida Ranger District offices. Table 2-1 provides a comparison of the alternatives by trail distance and type after project implementation. Alternatives B and C have two trail options at Twin Lakes. The mileages for each option are shown (e.g., X/Y) in the following tables. The first number represents the mileage utilizing the Lake Creek bridge option; the second number represents the mileage utilizing the Twin Lakes bridge option. These options are further discussed in the alternative descriptions below. In order to simplify the comparison of impacts for each alternative, only the Lake Creek bridge option mileages will be shown for the remainder of the document, unless otherwise noted. Table 2-1. Trail Type and Distance (Miles) by Alternative after Project Implementation. Alternative A* Alternative B Alternative C Motorized Trail 19.4 0.0 0.0 Non-Motorized Trail 42.3 76.8 / 71.9 90.1 / 84.3 Existing Motorized Roads 19.4 12.1 0.0 Total 81.1 88.9 / 84.0 90.1 / 84.3 Source: USFS Geographic Information System (GIS) *Note: Alternatives A and C end at Monarch Pass, whereas Alternative B ends at South Fooses Pass. Each alternative will be comprised of a combination of existing, reconstructed and newly constructed trail. Table 2-2 describes each alternative by trail construction type. Existing, reconstruction, and new construction are defined as follows: • Existing – Trail segments that are part of the present Forest Service trail system and primarily meet trail standards and specifications for pack and saddle stock use. • Reconstruction – Existing system trail segments will be reconstructed 1) to meet Forest Service pack and saddle stock trail standards as defined in Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 2309.18 Trails Management Handbook (U.S. Forest Service 1991b), 2) to avoid known resource issues (e.g., erosion), and 3) to avoid excessively steep sideslopes. Reconstruction may include resurfacing the trail tread, relocating trail segments to an Chapter 2 2-1 Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Relocation Environmental Assessment adjacent area on appropriate grades or away from sensitive resources, and the installation of stabilization and drainage structures (e.g., water bars, rock steps, and turnpikes). Reconstruction also includes the restoration of associated abandoned trail segments. • New construction – New trail segments will be constructed according to pack and saddle stock trail standards on locations where trails do not presently exist. New construction segments will provide non-motorized routes parallel to motorized trails and roads that will remain open to motorized use. Table 2-2. Existing, Reconstruction and New Construction Mileages. Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Existing 81.1 81.3 / 77.2 32.0 / 28.1 Reconstruction 0.0 3.2 / 2.0 15.8 / 14.1 New Construction 0.0 4.4 / 4.8 42.3 / 42.1 Totals 81.1 88.9 / 84.0 90.1 / 84.3 New trail system miles* 0.0 4.4 / 4.8 31.7 / 31.5 Source: USFS GIS *New trail system miles are equal to the difference between the new construction mileage and the trail closure mileage. Trail closures are discussed in the individual Alternative descriptions. 2-2 Chapter 2 Environmental Assessment Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Relocation 1. Actions Common to All Alternatives All alternatives use segments of the existing CDT and Colorado Trail from Halfmoon Creek to Twin Lakes. As illustrated on Map 2-1 (A-C), all alternatives converge at Twin Lakes Reservoir. Twin Lakes are glacially formed lakes, which have been enlarged to provide additional storage for the Fryingpan-Arkansas Water Storage Project. The Bureau of Reclamation A. Alternative A – Existing CDT on Existing Road, Bridge, (BOR) is responsible for construction, and Trail. operation, and maintenance of water reclamation works, which include dams, spillways, a power plant, raceway, forebay reservoir, switchyard, maintenance buildings, appurtenant works, roads, administrative sites and other associated facilities. The Forest Service administers all other lands, including the Interlaken Historic District, based on a Memorandum of Agreement (USDI Bureau of Reclamation 1984). All routes have the option of following an easterly alignment around Twin Lakes. B. Alternative B – CDT on Colorado Trail to New Bridge at Lake Creek or to New Bridge Option Between Twin However, the use of the dam is prohibited Lakes. in all alternatives due to existing BOR dam safety encroachment regulations relating to Homeland Security (USDI Bureau of Reclamation 2005). No additional outfitter and guide service days would be allocated, nor would any existing service days be reallocated under any alternative presented in this EA. Service day allocations are not analyzed in this decision process. Additional outfitter and guide service days may be allocated or reallocated on CDT segments following the completion of a separate capacity C. Alternative C – CDT Reroute to New Bridge at Lake study, needs analysis, and environmental Creek or to New Bridge Option Between Twin Lakes. analysis, or based on availability in current Map 2-1. A, B, C – Twin Lake Options. capacity analyses. Chapter 2 2-3 Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Relocation Environmental Assessment 2. Alternative A - No Action – Existing CDT The No Action Alternative includes a total of 81 miles of trail; of this, 39 miles are motorized or on existing road and 42 miles are non-motorized (Table 2-1). This alternative does not include any new construction or reconstruction of trail (Table 2-2). This alternative is located in the general proximity of the Continental Divide (Map B-1 and Map B-2). This alternative would remain on the existing motorized and non-motorized CDT alignment. Motorized roads and trails comprise approximately 48% of the existing CDT. Current trail management direction would continue to guide management of the CDT in the Study Area. The existing CDT between Halfmoon Creek and Monarch Pass would continue to be maintained as funding permits. As described in Actions Common to All Alternatives, use of the existing trail Figure 2-1. Current Trail Alignment on State Highway across the dam is no longer permitted. 82 Bridge Showing Limited Shoulder for Trail Users. With this alternative, trail users would continue to use the bridge on Colorado State Highway 82. No Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) regulations currently prohibit the use of the bridge by trail users (CDOT 2005). Safety concerns, especially for pack and saddle stock trail users, are present due to the lack of a suitable shoulder on the bridge (Figure 2-1). Annual monitoring would occur in this alternative to evaluate safety concerns, interactions between motorized and non-motorized recreation users, and overall satisfaction levels related to the nature and purpose of the CDT. Additional measures to rectify site-specific problems, based on monitoring results, may be implemented as part of separate planning processes and after additional environmental analyses. Currently, mountain biking is allowed on all segments of trail, except on those segments that are located in Collegiate Peaks Wilderness (mechanized travel is prohibited within all Forest Service designated wilderness). Approximately 75 miles of the existing CDT is available for mountain bike use with the No Action Alternative. However, of the total miles available to mountain bike use (75 miles), only 35 miles are on non-motorized singletrack. This alternative would not change the amount of trail available to mountain bike use. Presently, 78 miles of trail are designed for or are passable to pack and saddle stock users. Approximately 3 miles of trail are not presently designed for pack and saddle stock use; this is primarily in the Lake Ann Pass area. 2-4 Chapter 2 Environmental Assessment Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Relocation 3. Alternative B – Colorado Trail Corridor Alternative B would utilize the majority of the existing 90-mile segment of the Colorado Trail between Halfmoon Creek and South Fooses Pass as the CDT corridor (Map B-3 and Map B-4). The actual mileage for analysis of this segment is 88.9 miles, or 84.0 miles depending on the Twin Lakes area bridge option selected (discussed below). Because 12.1 of the 88.9 miles are presently routed on existing roads open to motorized traffic, only the 76.8 non-motorized miles of this Colorado Trail segment would be officially “located” as the CDT (Table 2-1). The remaining miles of the Colorado Trail would be utilized as connections to the officially “located” segments of the CDT on an “interim” basis (as outlined in the 1985 Comprehensive Plan) to provide a continuous travel route until relocations to routes that more closely meet the nature and purpose of the CDT can be completed. “Interim” utilization of these existing Colorado Trail connectors is necessary due to timing and cost issues related to the adjacency of private land and private land access. Between Halfmoon Creek and Twin Lakes, this alternative utilizes the current general location of the existing CDT, but incorporates five realignments to address motorized use and resource and safety issues (Table 2-3).

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